Making Choices While Smelling, Tasting, and Listening: The Role of Sensory (Dis)similarity When Sequentially Sampling Products

Marketers are increasingly allowing consumers to sample sensory-rich experiential products before making purchase decisions. The results of seven experimental studies (two conducted in field settings, three conducted in a laboratory, and two conducted online) demonstrate that the order in which consumers sample products and the level of (dis)similarity between the sensory cues of the products influence choices. In the absence of any moderators, when sampling a sequence of sensory-rich experiential products (e.g., fragrances, chocolates, flavored beverages, music) with similar sensory cues (e.g., smell, taste, color, sound), consumers prefer the first product in the sequence. However, when sampling a sequence of products with dissimilar sensory cues, consumers prefer the last product. These findings (1) contribute to a better understanding of the role of sequential sensory cues on consumer choice formation, (2) have implications for effects related to sensory habituation and sensory trace fading, and (3) help resolve apparent inconsistencies in prior research on order effects in the context of choices for sequentially sampled experiential products

Studies on the Mating Behavior of the House Fly, Musca Domestica L.

Author Institution: Entomology Research Division, Agric, Res. Serv., U.S.D.A. Gainesville, Fla

Holocene Evolution of Lakes in the Bluefish Basin, Northern Yukon, Canada

This study documents the Holocene evolution of lakes located in the Bluefish Basin, northern Yukon, on the basis of lake lithology, distribution of plant macrofossils, and radiocarbon dating of the basal organic material in sediment cores obtained from former lake basins. Basal organic matter from former lake basins is radiocarbon-dated to the late Holocene (< 3770 yr. BP), whereas the 14C ages from the polygonal peat plateaus (~2 m thick) that surround most of the former lake basins cluster in the early Holocene (between 11 435 and 8200 yr. BP). Plant macrofossil distribution in four out of five cores obtained in former lake basins indicates a transition from emergent aquatic vegetation to wetland and terrestrial-type vegetation, suggesting a gradual decline in water levels. The fifth core analyzed for macrofossils showed evidence of sudden lake drainage. The absence of 14C ages from the middle Holocene (7000 to 4000 yr. BP) suggests that the lakes had a greater spatial coverage and water levels during that period, a conclusion supported by the greater surface area occupied by the former lake basins relative to modern lakes and by the fact that the middle Holocene was a wet period in northern Yukon. The gradual decrease in water levels during the late Holocene could be attributed to partial drainage of lakes, increased evaporation under a drier climate, or a combination of both. Acomparison with other regional climate records indicates a change toward drier climate conditions around 4500 yr. BP as a result of a reconfiguration in large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns, suggesting a climate-driven change in hydrological conditions.La présente étude retrace l’évolution des lacs de l’Holocène situés dans le bassin Bluefish, dans le nord du Yukon. Elle s’appuie sur la lithologie des lacs, la répartition des macrofossiles de plantes et la datation par le radiocarbone des matières organiques de base se trouvant dans les carottes de sédiments provenant d’anciens bassins lacustres. La datation par le radiocarbone de la matière organique de base d’anciens bassins lacustres fait remonter cette matière à l’Holocène supérieur (< 3 770 ans avant le présent), tandis que la datation par le radiocarbone des plateaux de tourbe polygonaux (~2 m d’épaisseur) qui entourent la plus grande partie du groupement d’anciens bassins lacustres remonte à l’Holocène inférieur (entre 11 435 et 8 200 ans avant le présent). La répartition des macrofossiles de plantes dans quatre des cinq carottes provenant des anciens bassins lacustres laisse voir une transition allant d’une végétation aquatique émergente à une végétation de zone humide et de type terrestre, ce qui attesterait du déclin graduel des niveaux d’eau. Dans la cinquième carotte, les macrofossiles présentaient des preuves d’un assèchement lacustre soudain. L’absence de datation par le radiocarbone de l’Holocène moyen (de 7 000 à 4 000 ans avant le présent) laisse entrevoir que les lacs s’étendaient sur de plus grandes aires et que les niveaux d’eau étaient plus élevés pendant cette période, conclusion qui est appuyée par la plus grande surface occupée par les anciens bassins lacustres relativement aux lacs contemporains et par le fait que l’Holocène moyen était une période humide dans le nord du Yukon. La diminution graduelle des niveaux d’eau pendant l’Holocène supérieur pourrait être attribuée à l’assèchement partiel des lacs, à l’évaporation accrue lors d’un climat plus sec ou à une combinaison des deux. La comparaison avec d’autres relevés climatologiques régionaux indique un changement s’orientant vers des conditions climatiques plus sèches environ 4 500 ans avant le présent, changement découlant de la reconfiguration de la circulation atmosphérique à grande échelle, ce qui laisse entendre que les conditions hydrologiques auraient évolué en raison du climat

Contemporary (1951–2001) Evolution of Lakes in the Old Crow Basin, Northern Yukon, Canada: Remote Sensing, Numerical Modeling, and Stable Isotope Analysis

This study reports on changes in the distribution, surface area, and modern water balance of lakes and ponds located in the Old Crow Basin, northern Yukon, over a 50-year period (1951–2001), using aerial photographs, satellite imagery, a numerical lake model, and stable O-H isotope analysis. Results from the analysis of historical air photos (1951 and 1972) and a Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) image (2001) show an overall decrease (-3.5%) in lake surface area between 1951 and 2001. Large lakes typically decreased in extent over the study period, whereas ponds generally increased. Between 1951 and 1972, approximately 70% of the lakes increased in extent; however, between 1972 and 2001, 45% decreased in extent. These figures are corroborated by a numerical lake water balance simulation (P-E index) and stable O-H isotope analysis indicating that most lakes experienced a water deficit over the period 1988–2001. These observed trends towards a reduction in lake surface area are mainly attributable to a warmer and drier climate. The modern decrease in lake levels corresponds well to changes in regional atmospheric teleconnection patterns (Arctic and Pacific Decadal oscillations). In 1977, the climate in the region switched from a predominantly cool and moist regime, associated with the increase in lake surface area, to a hot and dry one, thus resulting in the observed decrease in lake surface area. Although some lakes may have drained catastrophically by stream erosion or bank overflow, it is not possible to determine with certainty which lakes experienced such catastrophic drainage, since an interval of two decades separates the two air photo mosaics, and the satellite image was obtained almost30 years after the second mosaic of air photos.La présente étude fait état des changements caractérisant la répartition, l’étendue et le bilan hydrique contemporain des lacs et des étangs situés dans le bassin Old Crow, dans le nord du Yukon, sur une période de 50 ans (1951–2001). L’étude s’est appuyée sur des photographies aériennes, l’imagerie satellitaire, un modèle numérique des lacs et l’analyse des isotopes stables O-H. D’après les résultats de l’analyse des photos aériennes historiques (1951 et 1972) et d’une image par capteur ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper) de Landsat-7 (2001), il y a eu rétrécissement général ( 3,5 %) de la surface des lacs entre 1951 et 2001. D’un point de vue général, l’étendue des grands lacs a diminué au cours de la période visée par l’étude, tandis que celle des étangs a augmenté. Entre 1951 et 1972, l’étendue d’environ 70 % des lacs s’est accrue, mais entre 1972 et 2001, l’étendue de 45 % des lacs a diminué. Ces données ont été corroborées au moyen de la simulation numérique du bilan hydrique des lacs (indice P-E) et de l’analyse des isotopes stables O-H, qui ont laissé entrevoir que la plupart des lacs ont enregistré un déficit en eau au cours de la période allant de 1988 à 2001. Les tendances de réduction de la surface des lacs qui ont été observées sont principalement attribuables à un climat plus chaud et plus sec. La diminution contemporaine du niveau des lacs correspond bien aux changements caractérisant les modèles régionaux de téléconnexion atmosphérique (oscillations décadaires arctiques et pacifiques). En 1977, le climat de la région est passé d’un régime à prédominance fraîche et humide (associé à l’augmentation de la surface des lacs de la région) à un régime chaud et sec, ce qui s’est traduit par la diminution de la surface des lacs qui a été observée. Bien que certains lacs puissent avoir été drainés de manière catastrophique en raison de l’érosion des cours d’eau ou du débordement des rives, il est impossible de déterminer avec certitude quels lacs ont été la cible d’un assèchement si catastrophique puisqu’un intervalle de deux décennies sépare les deux mosaïques de photographies aériennes, et que l’image satellitaire a été obtenue presque une trentaine d’années après la deuxième mosaïque de photo aérienne

Pathology-confirmed versus non pathology-confirmed cancer diagnoses: incidence, participant characteristics, and survival

Cancer diagnoses which are not confirmed by pathology are often under-registered in cancer registries compared to pathology-confirmed diagnoses. It is unknown how many patients have a non pathology-confirmed cancer diagnosis, and whether their characteristics and survival differ from patients with a pathology-confirmed diagnosis. Participants from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study were followed between 1989 and 2013 for the diagnosis of cancer. Cancer diagnoses were classified into pathology-confirmed versus non pathology-confirmed (i.e., based on imaging or tumour markers). We compared participant characteristics and the distribution of cancers at different sites. Furthermore, we investigated differences in overall survival using survival curves adjusted for age and sex. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 10.7 (6.3–15.9) years, 2698 out of 14,024 participants were diagnosed with cancer, of which 316 diagnoses (11.7%) were non pathology-confirmed. Participants with non pathology-confirmed diagnoses were older, more often women, and had a lower education. Most frequently non pathology-confirmed cancer sites included central nervous system (66.7%), hepato-pancreato-biliary (44.5%), and unknown primary origin (31.2%). Survival of participants with non pathology-confirmed diagnoses after 1 year was lower compared to survival of participants with pathology-confirmed diagnoses (32.6% vs. 63.4%; risk difference of 30.8% [95% CI 25.2%; 36.2%]). Pathological confirmation of cancer is related to participant characteristics and cancer site. Furthermore, participants with non pathology-confirmed diagnoses have worse survival than participants with pathology-confirmed diagnoses. Missing data on non pathology-confirmed diagnoses may result in underestimation of cancer incidence and in an overestimation of survival in cancer registries, and may introduce bias in aetiological research

Developing and user-testing Decision boxes to facilitate shared decision making in primary care - a study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Applying evidence is one of the most challenging steps of evidence-based clinical practice. Healthcare professionals have difficulty interpreting evidence and translating it to patients. Decision boxes are summaries of the most important benefits and harms of diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health interventions provided to healthcare professionals before they meet the patient. Our hypothesis is that Decision boxes will prepare clinicians to help patients make informed value-based decisions. By acting as primers, the boxes will enhance the application of evidence-based practices and increase shared decision making during the clinical encounter. The objectives of this study are to provide a framework for developing Decision boxes and testing their value to users.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>We will begin by developing Decision box prototypes for 10 clinical conditions or topics based on a review of the research on risk communication. We will present two prototypes to purposeful samples of 16 family physicians distributed in two focus groups, and 32 patients distributed in four focus groups. We will use the User Experience Model framework to explore users' perceptions of the content and format of each prototype. All discussions will be transcribed, and two researchers will independently perform a hybrid deductive/inductive thematic qualitative analysis of the data. The coding scheme will be developed a priori from the User Experience Model's seven themes (valuable, usable, credible, useful, desirable, accessible and findable), and will include new themes suggested by the data (inductive analysis). Key findings will be triangulated using additional publications on the design of tools to improve risk communication. All 10 Decision boxes will be modified in light of our findings.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will produce a robust framework for developing and testing Decision boxes that will serve healthcare professionals and patients alike. It is the first step in the development and implementation of a new tool that should facilitate decision making in clinical practice.</p

Calcite precipitation dominates the electrical signatures of zero valent iron columns under simulated field conditions

Calcium carbonate is a secondary mineral precipitate influencing zero valent iron (ZVI) barrier reactivity and hydraulic performance. We conducted column experiments to investigate electrical signatures resulting from concurrent CaCO{sub 3} and iron oxides precipitation under simulated field geochemical conditions. We identified CaCO{sub 3} as a major mineral phase throughout the columns, with magnetite present primarily close to the influent based on XRD analysis. Electrical measurements revealed decreases in conductivity and polarization of both columns, suggesting that electrically insulating CaCO{sub 3} dominates the electrical response despite the presence of electrically conductive iron oxides. SEM/EDX imaging suggests that the electrical signal reflects the geometrical arrangement of the mineral phases. CaCO{sub 3} forms insulating films on ZVI/magnetite surfaces, restricting charge transfer between the pore electrolyte and ZVI particles, as well as across interconnected ZVI particles. As surface reactivity also depends on the ability of the surface to engage in redox reactions via charge transfer, electrical measurements may provide a minimally invasive technology for monitoring reactivity loss due to CaCO{sub 3} precipitation. Comparison between laboratory and field data shows consistent changes in electrical signatures due to iron corrosion and secondary mineral precipitation